The University of California Students Association (UCSA) just passed legislation in support of the Irvine 11 and condemning the OCDA. The University of California Student Association (UCSA) is a coalition of UC students and student governments aimed at increasing the accessibility, affordability and quality of the UC system through advocacy and direct action organizing.
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Against the Criminalization of Peaceful Protest
Whereas, February 8th 2010, the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Political Science
Department and School of Law welcomed Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren to
discuss U.S.-Israel relations, [1]
Whereas, ten students in the audience stood up and vocally expressed their opposing opinion in
protest of Ambassador Michael Oren, [2]
Whereas, UC students (2 from UC Riverside and 9 from UC Irvine) felt the need to voice their
opposition in a peaceful manner,
Whereas, the students were escorted from the room voluntarily, without any resistance,
Whereas, law enforcement officers proceeded to arrest the students,
Whereas, Michael Oren was able to finish his schedule speech and left earlier than planned,
Whereas, as an institution that fosters education, passion and expansion of knowledge, UCSA
seeks to provide students with a vehicle to protest.
Whereas, UCSA’s stance to uphold the Quality of education as specified in the Master Plan, thus
providing a safe platform for to exchange diverse ideas, cultures and political ideology,
Whereas, protests all come from effective communication towards a cause, and deeming it
conspiracy sets a precedent that will inevitably hinder students from ever protesting in the future,
Whereas, the administration and the Office of Student Conduct already disciplined the eleven
students as well as the Muslim Student Union (MSU),
Whereas, months after the students were disciplined by the Office of Student Conduct, the
Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas, proceeded to charge the 10
students, [3]
Whereas, each of the students were charged with two misdemeanor counts, and “All 10
defendants in the Irvine 11 case have been found guilty of disturbing a public meeting and
engaging in a conspiracy to do so.”[4]
Whereas, the American Civil Liberties Union stated “Even if protests on college campuses
occasionally cross a line from protected speech into conduct, prosecutors cannot selectively
intervene to punish students who say things they do not like, [5]
Whereas, students reserve their right to peacefully advocate for their belief and should have a
safe place on a public campus to do so,
Let it be resolved, that UCSA opposes the criminalization of peaceful student protesters,
Let it be further be resolved, that UCSA calls for full administrative protection from external
criminal charges against peaceful protests,
Let it further be resolved, that UCSA commits to protect the rights of students and their rights to
express an opinion, political or otherwise, even though these opinions may be controversial,
“Let it further be resolved, that UCSA are in support of the Irvine 11’s right to protest and hold
the OCDA accountable for wrongfully prosecuting students for peaceful protest and democratic
participation.”
[1] http://www.socsci.uci.edu/node/921
[2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcaryZbL3gE
[3] http://www.orangecountyda.com/home/index.asp?page=8&recordid=2588
[4] http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2011/09/irvine_11_verdict.php
[5] http://www.aclu-sc.org/releases/view/802932
